PhD, RN , Doctoral (Alumni)
Director, School of Nursing
Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI
As an undergraduate, Dr. Callwood was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society at Hampton Institute, Virginia, which recognizes outstanding scholarship among young students. Her potential for a brilliant career in nursing was evident during the early years of her undergraduate studies. Her potential for a brilliant career in nursing was manifest during the early years of her undergraduate studies. During her career, she has served as the American Red Cross Leadership Award Chair of the St. Thomas/St. John Chapter, 1996 - 1998, and she received the Clara Barton American Red Cross Award in 2000. Moreover, in 2000, Dr, Callwood received the Who's Who among American Teachers for Classroom Pedagogical Excellence. At the 50-year anniversary of the Virgin Islands State Nurses Association, she was the recipient of their Recognition Award. Dr. Callwood has served as Regional Director, Caribbean Nurses Organization, 1986 - 1990, and is a Charter member of the St. Thomas Hospital Board of Trustees, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
In addition to these activities, she has been (1990 - 92) and is currently, President, Virgin Islands State Nurses Association (VISNA) 2002-2004, and until recently she was the Financial Secretary of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Southeast Region. Other leadership responsibilities include serving as President, Mu Eta Chapter, Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, 2001-2003.
Within the Government of the Virgin Islands Hospital System (1962-1995), Dr. Callwood served in leadership positions ranging from staff nurse, head nurse, supervisor, nurse consultant, and psychiatric liaison for Medical/Surgical Units to advise on care of clients experiencing crises. One important assignment was the coordination of preparation and planning for the Hospital system's Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Organizations Committee site visit. The outcome of the site visit was a resounding success, and the members of the hospital staff credited the favorable outcome to Dr. Callwood's intellectual acumen and her hard work.
She also devotes time to private counseling, intending to help those individuals and families who are experiencing distress in their personal lives. Her expertise is sought from far away places. For example, she is a writer for test items for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, and has served in that position for more than four years. Moreover, she has consulted with international Ministries of Health, including the Kingdom of Lesotho, South Africa.
During Dr. Callwood's tenure at the University of Florida, she worked as a Research Scholar and faculty member, where she taught psychiatric nursing and medial sociology, supervised master's level students, and administered a Federal grant. In her present role as Director of the Department of Nursing, she is responsible for the leadership of the Baccalaureate program, and serves on numerous university-wide committees and task forces.
This outstanding nurse leader continues to focus on her research and scholarship. She publishes in refereed journals and engages in scholarly writing. She has recently published several refereed manuscripts in professional journals, and she frequently contributes chapters to different psychiatric nursing textbooks.
Dr. Callwood also addresses community-based health issues as they relate to physical and mental health concerns. She is the Coordinator of the Virgin Islands/Florida/Caribbean AIDS Education and Training Center (FCAETC), a project funded by the Health Research Services Administration. In addition, she is Principal Investigator of the Virgin Islands Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Grant. Her quest for knowledge seems to be insatiable. Currently, Dr. Callwood is a Fellow, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the American Nurses Foundation's Project LEAD Project, 2002 - 2004.